How much is a scrap car worth in Canada?
A complete end-of-life vehicle sells for roughly the steel value of its weight, minus the cost to tow and process it — plus the value of the catalytic converter, battery and aluminum, which are priced separately. Here's how it breaks down, and a quick estimate for your car.
Estimate the steel value of your car
This is the value of the hulk — the body as heavy steel. The catalytic converter, battery and aluminum are extra (see below), so treat this as the floor, not the ceiling.
Typical: small car ~1,100 kg · mid-size ~1,400 kg · SUV/truck ~2,000–2,500 kg (check your door-jamb sticker or owner's manual).
Based on a national scrap steel rate of $0.22/kg, updated August 23, 2026. Local rates and vehicle condition vary.
An estimate only — buyers quote a single "hulk" price that already accounts for towing, de-pollution and processing. Always get the catalytic converter valued separately.
What a scrap car is actually worth, part by part
The body (hulk)
Priced by weight off the heavy-melting/shredder steel rate — lower than clean steel because it's mixed material. This is what the weight estimate above covers.
Catalytic converter
Usually the single most valuable part — often $50 to $1,000+ depending on the vehicle. Never let it be lumped in as plain scrap.
Battery
The lead-acid battery is bought separately at the scrap lead rate. Keep it with the car and declare it.
Aluminum & parts
Alloy wheels, some engine and transmission castings, and any working parts add value on top of the steel.
Before you scrap it
- Prove ownership. Recyclers need proof of ownership and government-issued photo ID. Rules vary by province.
- Remove plates and cancel insurance/registration. Take your licence plates off and cancel the policy and registration so you're not liable after it's gone.
- Empty the car. Check the glovebox, trunk, under seats and door pockets for personal items and documents.
- Keep the catalytic converter and battery on the car. They're worth more sold with the vehicle and valued explicitly than quietly absorbed into a scrap price.
- Get more than one quote. Prices vary between yards and between provinces. A quick call to two or three buyers usually pays for itself.
Scrap car pricing — common questions
How much is a scrap car worth in Canada?
Most complete end-of-life cars sell for roughly the steel value of their weight, minus the buyer's cost to tow, de-pollute and process them — in practice around 55–75% of the raw steel value of the hulk. A running car, or one with its catalytic converter still fitted, is worth substantially more because those parts are priced separately and are far more valuable than the steel.
How are scrap cars priced — per ton or per car?
The body (the 'hulk') is priced by weight, off the heavy-melting/shredder steel rate rather than the clean per-metal rate, because it is mixed material the buyer has to shred. On top of that, the catalytic converter, battery, aluminum wheels and any usable parts are valued separately. So a scrap car is really a weight-based steel price plus the value of a few high-value components.
Why is the catalytic converter worth so much?
Catalytic converters contain small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium. Depending on the vehicle and the converter type, a single unit can be worth anywhere from about $50 to well over $1,000 — often more than the steel value of the entire rest of the car. If your car still has its converter, never let it be counted as 'just scrap'.
Do I need to be the registered owner to scrap a car?
Yes. Canadian recyclers require proof of ownership and government-issued photo ID before they can buy a vehicle, and rules vary by province. Remove your licence plates, cancel the insurance and registration, and take out all personal belongings before the car is collected.
Does a non-running car still have scrap value?
Yes — the steel, catalytic converter, battery and aluminum all retain value whether the car runs or not. A non-runner is worth less than a running car of the same model (you lose the resale value of working parts), but it is still worth well above zero as scrap.
Know the metal prices before you sell.
Check today's scrap steel, lead and aluminum rates across Canadian cities.